De Soto National Memorial is easily accessible by plane, automobile, and boat.
Plane
Two major airports are located with a 50 minute drive of the park:
- Sarasota-Bradenton Airport (20 miles)
- Tampa International Airport (50 miles)
Car
De Soto National Memorial is located at the northern terminus of 75th Street North West in Bradenton, Florida. Visitors can reach the park from I-75 or I-275.
From I-75 take exit #220 (State Road 64) west for approximately twelve miles to 75th Street West. Turn right (north) onto 75th Street West, and proceed two and one half mile to the park entrance and the terminus of 75th Street.
From I-275 exit 5, follow US-19 into Bradenton. Turn west onto State Road 64, and proceed approximately five miles to 75th Street West. Turn right (north) onto 75th Street West, and proceed two and one half mile to the park entrance and the terminus of 75th Street/ De Soto Memorial Highway.
Public Transportation
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) serves the area, however, no bus routes currently stop at the Memorial. For more information about MCAT see the link below.
Boat
Boaters may access the park via the Manatee River. A small cove east (up river) of De Soto Point offers a temporary anchorage sheltered from south winds. Small craft may be beached at the cove, but boaters may not tie to protected vegetation including mangroves nor to park equipment including signs and benches.
De Soto National Memorial does not have a boat ramp.
